Elevator (C-11) · Lesson 2 of 4

Accessible Car Size and Door Timing

"Accessible Car Size and Door Timing" is lesson 2 of 4 in the Elevator (C-11) Learning Hub. It opens with "What Section 11B-407 Covers" and works through 5 short steps, then a worked example you can check yourself against.

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Steps in this lesson

  1. What Section 11B-407 Covers
  2. Car Size from Table 11B-407.4.1
  3. Door and Signal Timing
  4. Reopening Device and Door Delay
  5. Leveling, Sill Gap, Light and Rail

The worked example in the course applies this lesson to a realistic job in 5 steps, from "Compare the drawn car" through "Short-lobby comparison".

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain the main idea of "Accessible Car Size and Door Timing" in plain language you can use on the exam.
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Door and Signal Timing".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Reopening Device and Door Delay".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Leveling, Sill Gap, Light and Rail".
  • Test yourself on the worked example and the quick-check quiz inside the classroom.
ACCESSIBLE CAR SIZE AND DOOR TIMING2025 CBC Table 11B-407.4.1 and 11B-407.3: minimum car, door and signal timing(plan view, not to scale)68 in minimum side to sideCAR INTERIOR68 in x 54 in minimum51 in back wall to front return54 in back wall to door face36 in clear doorfront returnside (off-centered) door row of Table 11B-407.4.1WORKED EXAMPLE CHECKSSide (off-centered) door: door 36 in,side to side 68 in, back to door 54 inDrawn car: 66 in wide x 54 in deepFAILS: 66 in is under the 68 in minimumTiming: T = D / (1.5 ft/s), 5 s minimumD = 18 ft to the farthest call buttonT = 18 / 1.5 = 12 s before doors closeD = 6 ft: 6 / 1.5 = 4 s, so 5 s governsReopening device senses at 5 in and 29 inabove the floor, effective 20 s minimumDoors stay open 5 s minimum, car callLeveling within 1/2 in, rated to zero loadRESULT: widen the car to at least 68 in and allow at least 12 s before the doors closeT = D / 1.5 ft/s with a 5 second floor: 18 ft gives 12 seconds; 6 ft would give only the 5 s minimumSource: 2025 CBC Table 11B-407.4.1; 11B-407.3.3.1 to 11B-407.3.3.3, 407.3.4, 407.3.5, 407.4.4.D is measured from 60 in in front of the farthest call button to the hoistway door centerline (11B-407.3.4).CC
The diagram for this lesson, exactly as it appears in the Learning Hub.

The first steps of this lesson

Step 1: What Section 11B-407 Covers

Chapter 11B of the 2025 California Building Code (CBC) sets accessibility rules for elevators in public buildings. Section 11B-407.1 says elevators must be passenger elevators with automatic operation, and the horizontal sliding doors of 11B-407.3.1 must open and close automatically. Car gates are prohibited.

Step 2: Car Size from Table 11B-407.4.1

The car must meet a row of Table 11B-407.4.1 for its door location. A centered door needs a 42 in clear door, 80 in side to side, 51 in back wall to front return and 54 in back wall to the inside face of the door. A side (off-centered) door needs a 36 in door, 68 in side to side, 51 in and 54 in. The other rows are a 36 in door with 54 in x 80 in x 80 in, and a 36 in door with 60 in x 60 in x 60 in. Footnote 1 allows a tolerance of minus 5/8 in on the 36 in door width.

The remaining 3 steps, the worked example and the quiz are in the course. This is a preview. The full lesson, with the step-by-step explanations, a worked example and a quick-check quiz, is inside the classroom.

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